Post this on the wall or keep it at the Scribe's station. The Scribe calls time at each beat. The most common failure in a session is running out of time for the recommendation — if the team is still in analysis at minute 65, say so out loud.
Plan for a 2-hour block total: 90 minutes of session plus 15 minutes of debrief, with 15 minutes of flex for transitions and overruns.
The 90-Minute Session
0:00
Client brief (10 min)
Client presents using the Brief Template. Team listens without interrupting. Questions held until the brief is complete.
0:10
Clarifying questions (5 min)
Team asks factual questions only — not analysis, not recommendations. "What does your current cost structure look like?" Yes. "Have you considered partnering?" Not yet.
0:15
Problem reframe (5 min)
Team checks: is this the right question? Proposes a reframe if warranted and confirms with Client before proceeding.
0:20
Structure the work (5 min)
Lead Consultant assigns branches of the issue tree. Hypothesis stated and written on the board. Scribe captures the structure.
0:25
Parallel team work (45 min)
Each member works their branch. Analyst builds the evidence. Skeptic probes assumptions. Scribe captures findings as they emerge.
0:45
↳ Midpoint check-in (5 min, within the 45)
Team reconvenes briefly. Which branches are confirmed / eliminated? Is the hypothesis holding? Reorient if needed. Don't skip this.
1:10
Synthesis (10 min)
Team builds the recommendation together. Agree on the "so what." Lead Consultant prepares the presentation — structure it, don't improvise it.
1:20
Recommendation presentation (10 min)
Lead Consultant delivers to the Client. Concise, structured, leading with the answer. One recommendation with supporting logic — not a menu of options.
The 15-Minute Debrief
1:30 – 1:35
Client response (5 min)
Client responds: Was this the right question? Was the recommendation useful? What was missing or off? Be candid — this is the most important feedback the team gets.
1:35 – 1:40
Team self-reflection (5 min)
What worked? What would the team do differently? Where did the analysis break down or shine? Specific and honest.
1:40 – 1:45
"Would I hire these people?" round (5 min)
Everyone in the room answers — including the Client and any observers. The question is: would you put this team in front of a real client? Use the Debrief Scorecard to structure the feedback.
Scribe's timing calls
Call these out loud, even if it interrupts:
- 0:45 — "Midpoint. Let's check in. What have we found and what are we confident about?"
- 1:05 — "Five minutes to synthesis. Start building the recommendation."
- 1:15 — "Five minutes to present. Lead Consultant, are you ready?"
- 1:28 — "Two minutes left in the presentation."
See also: Debrief Scorecard · Facilitator's Guide